Who is Montaigne?
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533–1592) was a French diplomat and civil official in the region of Bordeaux, France. Montaigne is widely credited with the invention of the modern personal “essay,” which term he gave to the written “attempts” (essais in French) he made later in his life to understand both his world and himself as honestly and unflinchingly as he could. Between 1571 and 1587 Montaigne published three books of essays on topics as various as drunkenness, cannibalism, vanity, friendship and aging. Montaigne was very well traveled, both as a diplomat during the height of France’s bloody wars of religion as well as in search of cures for physical ailments that followed him through life. He was elected Mayor of Bordeaux twice and led the city through an outbreak of plague late in his term. His essays thus often portray a dim tableau of human existence, but are marked above all by his abiding skepticism and the openness of mind characterized by his personal motto “Que sçay-je?” or “What do I know?”
Details
Guidelines and Submission Procedures for Essays for 2023
Read Octavia Butler's essay "Positive Obsession".
Then, please address the following question in an essay of 500 to 1200 words:
Butler's autobiographical essay "Positive Obsession" discusses the complicated act of creating works of science fiction as a Black writer. In an essay of 500 to 1200 words, consider how fiction, especially science fiction, informs how we think about our present way of being. You may want to consider how Butler's experiences led her to science fiction and what her purpose is in imagining alternate futures.
Please make your essay as clear, concise and compelling as you can in the space allowed.
You must type your essay and submit it in .pdf or .doc/docx format to Dr. Stuart Patterson at skpatterson@noctrl.edu. The subject heading of your email should state: "Montaigne Essay" and your name. Anyone unable to type their essay or submit it electronically in either format should contact Dr. Patterson for instructions at the address above or at 630-637-5487.